The Biggest Storylines for the 2015 Clay-Court Season
Following Novak Djokovic's procession to another title in 2015, the clay-court season awaits. It's time to assess the biggest storylines as the hard courts give way and outline the important moments to come.
With Rafael Nadal still searching for a confidence boost, the clay-court season has come at a good time. Clay is traditionally his best surface, so the Spaniard has a chance to finally get up to speed.
As Serena Williams continues to dominate the women's tour, the attempts to break her resistance continue. There have been some promising performances from the likes of Simona Halep and Sabine Lisicki, but there is still work to do.
The following slides will outline the storylines that pose the most pressing issues heading onto clay.
Who Will Step out of the Chasing Pack?
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Indian Wells presented the most unusual of opportunities. While the unopposed Queen of Tennis was absent in the latter stages, a potential successor had a rare chance to make a strong audition.
Simona Halep was the woman to take advantage of Serena Williams' decision to pull out, beating Jelena Jankovic 2-6, 7-5, 6-4.
However, Williams' return in Miami ended with a routine win, as she took out the impressive Carla Suarez Navarro in two sets.
The start of the clay-court season presents another opportunity for someone to take the season by the throat and not let Williams continue to dominate.
Last year, she won in Rome but exited in the round of 32 against Jana Cepelova in Charleston. Later, she fell in the round of 64 at the French Open to Garbine Muguruza.
This should offer encouragement. Halep's win in Indian Wells was refreshing but not altogether surprising given her devastating performances when on song.
Sabine Lisicki is also in decent form, beating Ana Ivanovic and Sara Errani before losing to Williams in the quarters in Miami. Her route to the semi-final in Indian Wells will also give her encouragement.
Given Williams' form on clay last season, someone should take heart and make this period of the year her own.
Time for Nadal to Hit Stride
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Traditionally, this is Rafael Nadal's time of year. The clay is baking hot, and the man who can stand the heat more than anyone is the fierce Spaniard.
This is not the Nadal of 2008, though.
A third-round defeat to Fernando Verdasco in Miami, coupled with his loss to Milos Raonic at Indian Wells, might be signalling a shift in the longstanding status quo.
Clay, though, is where Nadal is at home. He reached the final in three clay tournaments in a row last year, winning two against Kei Nishikori and Novak Djokovic. Simon Briggs wrote for The Telegraph that his recent slump "is reversible, as (Roger) Federer's renaissance has demonstrated."
However, the problem for Nadal this year hasn't been an inability to beat the best. It has been his susceptibility to players who couldn't have hoped of edging him out in years gone by.
Raonic's win felt like the turning of the tide. For too long, others have been caught in the current of Nadal's superiority. Now things are changing.
Yet clay represents an opportunity for Nadal to turn this season in his favour. Despite his reign at Roland Garros never being under so much doubt, a 10th title in Paris could spur him on to an important win.
Which Men's Contenders Will Finally Step Up?
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With Novak Djokovic continuing to coast at the top of the ATP rankings, we're still waiting for a serious challenge with substance from those on the outskirts.
Milos Raonic has started 2015 brightly and looks to be the strongest of those in tennis' next generation.
Grigor Dimitrov is in a sticky period, having lost to Gilles Muller, Ryan Harrison and John Isner in three of his last four tournaments.
Even Tomas Berdych, who is now under the tutelage of Andy Murray's former coach Dani Vallverdu, is struggling to get over the line. He's made the quarter-finals in all of his tournaments this season but continues to lose to those above him, with the exception of his win over Nadal in Melbourne.
It's time to stop the talking and to make good on their attempts to crack the top, before Djokovic and Roger Federer leave on their own terms.
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Andy Murray to Continue Good Form
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Andy Murray is setting the standard high for those who are looking to claim their first title of the season.
Although Novak Djokovic beat him in the finals in Miami and Melbourne and the semi-final at Indian Wells, Murray is proving fiercely consistent.
He's showing his value on the big occasions too. He sandwiched defeats in Rotterdam and Dubai in between excellent performances in the bigger tournaments at Melbourne and Indian Wells.
The challenge for Murray is to replicate his strong form during the clay-court season. Right now he seems the most likely bet to break Djokovic's stranglehold on the Grand Slams and Masters events.
Murray lost to Nadal twice in three of his clay tournaments last year. However, Murray is the man in form, and any meeting between the two could see the balance tip in the Scot's favour.
He has found a way to dismiss the majority of those who would challenge him for a top-four place. The key will be to continue that while finding the formula that dethrones Djokovic.
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